The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) today condemned the invasion of the residence of King Amalete Turner by operatives of Department of State Service (DSS) on Monday and demanded an unreserved apology.

Turner is the Paramount Ruler of Opume Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa and an ally of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Udengs Eradiri, President of IYC, described the invasion as a breach of the fundamental rights of the Ijaw monarch and a desecration of the Ijaw traditional institution.

According to Eradiri, the invasion is preparing the grounds to further denigrate, harass and embarrass the person of Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan who during his tenure never used state apparatus to intimidate Nigerians.

Eradiri maintained that Ijaw youths are not against the DSS doing their job but are concerned about their manner of doing so, which, according to him, falls below acceptable standards.

He said: “Initially we did not believe it was the DSS because the operation appeared to have been in a gangster manner like a robbery operation. We are against the disregard to procedure and due process.

“DSS has a right to invite anyone, but for DSS to invade the residence of a respected Ijaw King like Chief A.J. Turner is an abuse of his fundamental human rights and invasion of his privacy.

“We see the invasion as a desecration of Ijaw traditional institution and we demand for an apology from the DSS. If they have any issue with our King, he should be invited to answer any questions they have.

“But to invade his residence and cart away documents and some items falls below the standards expected by Nigerians.”

The IYC President further advised the DSS to refrain from using the state apparatus to harass Nigerians and conduct their operations within the laws of the land.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate budgetary provisions for the amnesty programme to guarantee peace in the region for optimal oil production to fund the 2016 budget.

•Photo shows IYC President Udengs Eradiri.

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